Brake Repairs and Diagnostics
Locally Owned Transmission and Total Car Care Auto Shop
Brakes are perhaps the most important safety feature on your vehicle. When your brakes begin to wear or show signs of trouble, you need to act right away. Better still is performing regular maintenance on your brakes so you can remedy issues before they pose any danger.
Common Signs of Malfunctioning Brakes Include:
A brake pedal that depresses entirely or almost entirely to the floor.- Reduced response when you hit the brake.
- A squealing or grinding sound when you brake.
- The illumination of the brake warning light.
If you experience any of these signs, then you need to visit AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care. We will diagnose your brake problem with a full brake system check that includes a comprehensive examination of your brake pads and shoes, rotors, hydraulic fluids, drums, lines, hoses, calipers and wheel cylinders, master cylinder, antilock system (when applicable), and all hardware.
Brake pad replacement is essential to maintaining a functional brake system. There are two ways to determine whether a car’s brake pads need to be replaced:
- Audibly: Listen closely when you depress your brakes. If you hear a high-pitched screeching sound, then your pads are severely worn and need to be replaced immediately. However, if your hear a sound that is like metal scraping against metal, then the problem is probably with the rotors, and you will need to have these serviced as soon as possible to avoid more costly and serious issues.
- Visually: A technician can inspect the thickness of your brake pads. If a brake pad is less than 1/4th of an inch thick, you will need to have it replaced soon. If a pad is less than 1/8th of an inch thick, however, then you will need to replace it immediately, as you run the risk of damaging the rotor.
Always err on the safe side and replace your brakes at the earliest signs of wear. To learn more or to have your brake pads inspected by a professional, visit AAMCO today. After conducting a comprehensive system check, we can repair your brake system and help ensure your car’s safety. Along with a thorough inspection of your car’s braking system, our AAMCO Brake Service includes the following elements:
- Replace pads and shoes.
- Repack wheel bearings.
- Lubricate braking components.
- Adjust the parking brake.
- Replace brake fluid.
- Resurface or replace rotors and drums.
We will also perform a road test to ensure that our service has addressed all issues and your braking system is in ideal condition.
Frequently Asked Brake Repair Questions
How do brakes work?
A lot happens when you press down on the brake pedal, bringing your vehicle to a safe and precise stop. Simply put, when you “hit the brakes,” that tells the cylinders to supply brake fluid to your calipers so they can power your brake pads. Pressure from your brake pads is then applied to your rotors, providing the right amount of friction necessary to bring your vehicle to a safe and precise stop.
What’s a Brake Inspection?
Behind every wheel is an intricate brake system — which needs to function properly in order for you to stop your vehicle safely. Our comprehensive brake inspection covers all the intricacies of your particular make and model’s brake system.
After we’ve completed the inspection, we’ll provide you with a complete report regarding the condition of your current brake parts. Should any of them need replacement or repair, we’ve got all the parts necessary to bring your brakes back to manufacturer standards.
How often should I have my brakes inspected?
Having effective stopping power is an ongoing need. And early detection is the key to maintaining your brakes’ performance. With that in mind, we recommend that you have your brakes inspected on a yearly basis (at the very least), and certainly at the first signs of a brake problem.
With the know—how and experience of an AAMCO Laramie expert brake technician, a brake check up gives you the best chance to spot the more routine repairs that can help protect you from dealing with more costly repairs. Noticing any warning symptoms of brake wear? If so, you may need a more immediate inspection. Don’t delay.
Inside your vehicle’s owner’s manual, they usually list specific brake inspection intervals. Always check there first to gauge your vehicle’s brake needs.
What exactly is brake fluid?
Brake fluid is the key to a properly functioning brake system. By pressing on the brake pedal, pressure is created in your brake lines sending brake fluid traveling to each caliper. This then activates your brake pads, which create the friction needed to bring your car to a stop.
Please note: Brake fluid leaks are hard to detect. They could lead to your vehicle needing more time to stop or even not stopping at all. Without brake fluid, brakes can’t even function.
Why replace the brake fluid when performing a brake repair?
Brake fluid naturally attracts moisture, which can penetrate even sealed systems. When it does, it causes the brake fluid boiling point to lower, increasing the chances of corrosion and poor braking. We replace the brake fluid to help reduce this risk, and to prolong the life of brake components.
